How many of us woman can say with absolute conviction that we feel empowered?  Do you walk about your community with a confidence and an awareness?  Do you feel strong, capable and even courageous? Are you strong, both mentally and physically?

Have you reached levels of fitness that you didn’t know you were capable of? Are you always learning new and challenging body movements and mental skills?  If you can answer yes to all of the above chances are you are a woman enjoying the benefits of Martial Arts training. 

My Martial Arts training empowers me in my day to day life as you will see from the following story and remember that it is empowering for a woman to know that she doesn’t always have to “be nice and polite”.

I had to meet up with a friend to exchange some paperwork.  We met outside of a local Library.  I parked behind her and went up to her car.  She was standing with her driver door open and we were talking.  I was very aware, the whole time we were talking, of a man pacing up and down the sidewalk on the other side of our cars.  Then I became aware of a young man approaching us from the other direction.  He came up and asked us how we knew his name, which of course we didn’t, it was simply his opener.   My friend started to engage in a conversation with this young person who was wearing a hoodie and had his hands in his pockets.  He said he was hungry and could we help him out.  I told my friend to get in her car it was time to go.  She kept talking to this young man and told him she always helps out the poor and homeless by delivering goods at Christmas time etc.  I was very insistent that she get in her car immediately as it was time to go and he kept trying to engage her in more conversation and he was getting agitated with me because I wouldn’t engage.  I told her again to get in her car, practically having to push her in, and lock her door.  She was trying to be nice and polite all the while not knowing that his buddy was on the other side of our cars and also not knowing or even wondering if he was concealing a weapon inside his pockets where his hands were.  She finally got in her car and the young man was still trying to extract some monies or whatever from us while the other man who I believe was with him was on the other side of our cars.  I walked back to my car keeping my eye on them both and got in and locked the door and we both drove away.  If I hadn’t had marital arts training I might have been very frightened and even engaged in conversation “to be nice”.  That situation may have turned out much differently.  Because of my martial arts training I took charge and I was mentally preparing myself for anything that might happen while also quickly disengaging.

I have been a student of Shotokan Karate for 5 years.  I started at the not so young age of 42.  The only regret I have is that I didn’t start earlier in my life. 

If you are looking to become a more empowered and fulfilled woman then give Martial Arts a try.  Watch for my next blog on “Martial Arts is a Life Skill for Women”

Tags: empowerment with martial arts, martial arts training, shotokan karate